Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 372: Anya’s Strategy

Chapter 372: Anya’s Strategy

"Of course, there’s no better place I would want to be but here, so think of me honored. Moreover, it’s within my right to congratulate my very good friend on choosing a fiancée after our years together."

Silence hung over them like a thick curtain after Anya’s ambiguous words, shrouding the room in a heavy stillness.

After leaving the lingering uncertainty to echo across, Anya pompously sat down. She intended to sow seeds of discord and create division between Issac and Maxi. She hoped it worked this time.

The seat she had taken was directly opposite Kayla’s and she lifted her head feeling the heat of her stare.

"What?"

Anya was uncomfortable with the blazing intensity at which she stared at her.

"Do you ever give up?" Kayla sneered at her.

"What are you talking about?" She pretended to be oblivious.

"Don’t give me that ignorant look, Anya or should I call you a desperate bitch, maybe then you will understand?"

"Kayla!" Oma scolded her with a hard look in her eyes.

But the girl was not close to giving up and continued, "Or maybe you can tell that to the troublesome guest that she’s not welcomed here —"

"That’s enough!" Issac boomed, his voice resonating with a commanding authority that echoed through the space, leaving no room for indifference or snark from anybody, whosoever that may be.

Even Anya flinched from the invasive magic that accompanied his strong command. From the startled looks from everyone on the table — except his nonchalant fiancée — they had felt that power too.

Issac turned his full attention on her and her stomach sank at the challenge in his eyes. He was not ignorant of her tactics and wouldn’t take it lightly again if she stepped out of line.

Shame and resentment filled Anya and she bit the inside of her cheek till she drew blood. This was unfair, she protested inwardly. Doesn’t he know why she was doing this?

She loves him!

They were great together, evidenced by the years of unbreakable friendship. Until now. Issac can’t let what they shared as friends end just like that. They would do much better as lovers. Why can’t he see that?

Kayla was the most pained from the way she silently glared at her brother. She had tried to help him get rid of this saboteur and this is the way he treated her? Her hands were clenched so hard they shook. Calan had to place his palm on top of hers and soften the blow her brother dished out to her.

"Let’s eat."

That simple command from Issac left no room for negotiation and everyone obeyed, minding their business. The palpable tension should have ruined the dinner but Oma was wise enough to attempt small talk.

"How is your family, Calan?"

The young Fae lifted his head in surprise at the question. He had been the most uncomfortable since he had been caught between the unfolding drama and now all eyes were on him, especially Issac’s hard ones. By the gods, Kayla should have warned him this was his burial.

"Fine," Calan answers curtly, nervous as hell.

"Stop it," Maxi nudged Issac who had been staring the Fae down with such blazing intensity it was a wonder he hadn’t peed in his pants yet. Quite a brave boy.

The gesture didn’t go unnoticed, particularly by Anya, whose expression turned grim. The few bites she had taken from her food lingered undigested, hanging in her throat like an unspoken weight—a tangible representation of her struggle to stand the sight of them together.

"Oh, let the hypocrite stare for all he wants," Kayla sassed, stabbing the mushroom with more force than required. Maxi had no doubt she was envisioning her brother. She hasn’t forgiven Issac for earlier.

"You know that I’m merely looking out for you," Issac explained to her.

"I’m not a kid."

"You are."

"She’s a grown kid." Maxi pointed out.

Kayla’s lips curled up. She had backup.

"Issac knows what he’s doing." Anya countered.

Maxi shifted her focus to Anya, repeatedly unclenching and clenching her fist, as if ready for a confrontation. She questioned, "Is that your genuine opinion, or are you merely backing my fiancé because of your friendship?" She made no effort to conceal the reminder of Anya’s position in his life.

Anya scowled, picking up on the subtle insult. "Kayla is young and may make mistakes. Issac is genuinely doing what’s best for her."

"Really?" Maxi smirked.

"Oh no," Issac uttered, sensing that sinister glint in Maxi’s eyes, and instinctively knew she was gearing up to roast Anya.

"If your idea of safeguarding a youngling involves restricting her freedom, then that’s the epitome of hypocrisy, especially considering you’ve been following Issac for years. Or did your parents also neglect to do what’s genuinely best for you?" Maxi challenged, locking eyes with her.

"And she did it," Issac breathed, turning away. He was truly exhausted from settling their quarrels. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have had both of them in the same room. Not that he invited Anya in the first place.

Anya was far from discreet about her one-sided attraction for him and began on the wrong foot with Maxi. Her ulterior motives were evident from the start, reflected in her questionable words. Issac needed to tread carefully with the perceptive Maxi. He could only hope this dinner concludes without his temperamental fiancée reaching a breaking point.

"T—that’s ridiculous!" Anya spluttered, abruptly rising to her feet, visibly flustered. "Issac is my friend, and all he has done is protect me! It’s quite rude of you to drag my parents into this, and they raised an honorable daughter!" She intentionally raised her voice, hoping Issac or Oma would reprimand Maxi for crossing the line this time.

Maxi needed to understand her position in this family. Just being Issac’s fiancée didn’t assure her a place as his wife. Issac’s loyalty to his mother meant if Oma turned against Maxi, there might still be a chance for Anya. The plan was to expose Maxi’s ugly side, and that was Anya’s strategy.